Insert-printing device



Dec. 3, 1929.

A. GYDESEN ET AL INSERT PRINTING DEVICE Filed Deo. 24, 1927 2 .Sheets-Sheet 1 MMM/MW Dec. 3, 1929.

A. GYDESEN ET AL 1,737,925

INSERT PRINTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 24, 1927 TABLE' 0F' GUARANTEED VALUES PER $1,000 0F INSURANCE DMDUP ENDOWMENT INSURANCE Endowmenta A3155 'PAID UP TERM ANDWRE 'ENDOWNDENT INSURNCE Days Years Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT `(HFICE .ANSGAR G'YDESEN, KNUTE A. FiROBERG, AND 'WILLIAM J, KEENAN, IOF MINNEAPOLIS,

MINNESOTA, ASSIGNORS T PRINTERS SUPPLY COMPANY., 0F MINNEALEGLIS, MIN- NESOTA INSERT-PRINTING DEVICE Application led December 24, 192,7.. l,Serial N9. 242,420.

This invention relates to printing devices and especially to a printing device adapted to posed in different positions upon the sheet and, of course, dierent printed matter is used for each form ot policy and moreover for the different ages oeach form of policy. The blanks referred to are filled out at the home oiiice oi the insurance company and heretofore the values and tables have been typed by a stenographer. As a consequence Verrors have often been made in filling out some of the values and tables and the insurance company has, of course, been bound by the values enumerated. Such methods have moreover been slow `and expensive, requiring in addition to the typing ot `the tables or values careful checking.

Our invention has for an object -to provide a comparatively simple but highly efficient machine or insert printer' which may be employed for printing in values, tables or other printed matter in differently arranged spaces or pane-ls on forms or other relatively large sheets.

It is a further object :to 4-provide an linsert .printing device, wherein printed plates varye ing extensively in size and shape may -be utilized :to print various matter in a variety of .diiierent positions with reference' to a sheet.

Another object is to provide in an insert printer a comparatively simple means for handling a multiplicity of plat-es of diii'erent vsize and shape and for adjusting said plates in various different positions to properly fill the desired spaces or panels in dii'- erent Jfor-ms or sheets.

VAnother object is to provide in a device of the class above described, means whereby an operator knowing the identity of the particular form ory sheet to be printed may readily and .easily adjust .the device and choose the proper lplat-e to print the Adesired matter in the proper place Aon the form or sheet.

`.Still ya further object .of the invention is to provide a deviceof` the class described, Iwhich will obviate all chances of error which -are common where other methods have been used.

These and .other objects and .advantages will be apparent from the following description made in connection with the .accompanylng drawings in which like .reference chairacters refer .to similar parts throughout the several views and `in which, i

Fig. l isa perspective view of an embodi ment of' the invention .designed lfor printing in tables and values in insurance policies, the swingable platen .frame 4being .shown in partially open posi-tion andan insurance policy being shown applied over the plate for print- 111s;

Fig. 2 .is a horizontalsection taken through the platen frame Aand showing the toggle structure i Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the platen frame;

-F ig. 4 is a vertical cross section taken on the .line 4 4 of Fig. 3, a portion of one of the toggle links being Jbroken away Fig. 5 Ais a plan view of the adjustable plate vbed With a plate thereon, Aa portion the .printing ribbon being broken away;

Fig. f6 is a vertical section .on a larger scale through the platen and :the base .of `the press, showing the adjustable plate bed in side elevation;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 7-17 of Fig. 5 showing the ribbon winding ree g,

Fig. 8 isa vertical section taken on the line -8-8 of Fig. 5 showing the opposite end of the ribbon frame with the ribbon .spool mounted thereon;

Fig. 9 is va :fragmentary plan view Aof the rat-chetand pawl winding rmechanism for the ribbon, some portions being shown in section;

Fig. 10 is a kdetail view `showing the means for yielding-ly holding the ribbon winding 4pawv'l in .operative or non-.operative position; lanc iso shape; infallible indicating means to ,clearlyA show the various positions of the adjustable bed for printing` variouslfor-m's and specially constructed plates adapted to co-operate with the movable bed to cause matter to be printed in the desired positions on the forms.

Our machine maybe mounted on any heavy horizontal support, and as shown is mounted upon a 'cabinet yprovided with a horizontal top T and also having plate compartments C in which a multiplicity of plates for various forms may. be kept for convenient use. Our device may include a heavy Printing base 13 which may be embedded or countersunk in the top T of the support. At the rear end of base V13 an upstanding vertical post- 14 is rigidly mounted as shown carrying at its lower end a collar 15 carrying at its upper surface a ball race. Vel provide an elongated platen frame 16 having a heavy bearing at its rear end and set vedgewise relatively to thebase 13. Platen frameV 16 is swivelly connected to post 14. The lower end of the bearing portion referred to, rests upon` said ball race. Spacing collars 17 are fixed to post 11 engaging the upper end of bearing portion 16a. A diagonally disposed brace 18 provided with a turn buckle 18a connects the intermediate portion of platen frame 16 with the top of post 14, being secured to the top of said post by means of a swivel member 18". Platen frame 16 is preferably of hollow construction having parallel vertical sides, provided with a lower open side having recti- `provided, with a handle 16cpand an arcuately and transversely extending notch 16d of T-shapedcross section is formed in the lower portion of the forward end adapted to interlock with'p an upstanding complementary shaped rail segment 2O rigidly secured to the forward end of the printing base 13, said interlocking taking place ,when frame 16 has 'been swung. into position to print. As illustrated, rail segment 2O vis provided with a small stop 26a to limit movement of the platen frame thereover in one direction and to properly aline the platen for printing.

7e prefer to provide an elongated substantially rectangular platen P having a pair of upstanding parallel bars 21 disposed edgewise to platen P, said bars having their ends slidably mounted within the lower `portion of the platen frame 16. The movement of said platen P is effected by means of a highly efficient toggle mechanism eccentricallyconnected with bar 19. Said toggle mechanism comprises a pair of upwardly extending links 22, one pivotally connected to each end of platen P, thelower pivots for said links extending transversely of platen P and journaled in the parallel bars 21. Links 22 l have their upper ends pivotally connected to a pair of links 23 of substantially equal length andA with the upper ends of links 23 being pivotally connected with the upper portion of platen frame 16 by means of horizontal pivot members 2 3a traversing the vertical sides` of platen frame 16. The pivotal connection between the links 22 and 23 may be made by means of pins 24, said pins passing through links 22 and 23 and also through the ends ef bifurcated members 25, members 25 having inwardly projecting tongues 25a which are eccentrically connected with the toggle operating bar 19 by adjustable connection members 26. Bar 19 works through oneof the apertures in the sides of platen frame 16 and is pivotally secured on a vertical axis to the depending stud 16b vof the platen frame, the pivotal connection being made by a relatively heavy bolt 27. As shown, connection members 26 are provided with suitable turn buckles and bifurcated ends, one of said connection members being pivoted at its inner end to the inner end of bar 19 at one side of the pivot member 27 and said other connection member being pivoted at its inner end to toggle operating arm 19 at the opposite side of pivot 27. As shown in Fig. 2, connection members 26 extend substantially parallel and eccentrically connect the two sets of links 22 and 23 with the bar. A strong coiled spring 28 is interposed between the inner extremity of arm 19 and a retaining lmember 29 fixed adjacent the forward end of platen frame 16, said spring normally holding bar 19 in rearward position with the platen P elevated. The under surface of platen P is preferably covered with a relatively soft facing 30.

Printing base 13 is i preferably provided with a pair of parallel spaced elongated guides 31 between which an adjustable printing bed B is mounted. Bed B as shown comprises a rectangular member having a fiat upper surface and a corrugated lower surface, the lateral edges of said member engaging the guides 31. As shown, the bed B is provided at its left side with a rectilinear guide or abutment extending parallel with its left lateral edge and is provided at its upper or rear longitudinal edge with a plurality oit spaced upstanding abutment pins 33 extending across bed B in a. line perpendicular to. abutment 32, said pins being adapted to engage the upper edge of a printingplate and in co-.operation with abutment being adapted to hold the several plates in proper position for printing.

Bed B carries above its upper surface a ibbon 'frame 34- open rectangular structure, said tra-me being'of somewhat large: dimensions than said bed and lievi-n0: its longitudinal sides projectingv beyond its lateral Sides and turned about a ribbon roller shaft 35 at they lett end' oi they frame and about a ribbon spool shaft 36 at'the right end of the traine. Shaft is frietionally and rotatably mounted between the outer ends of av pair ot' lugs 37 secured at their inner ends to the. longitudinal sides ot bed B, while the right hand side ot the trame is free in order that trame 3.4 may be swung on shaft 35.

Shaft 3,6 may have a split portion adapted to receive the printing ribbon R. Said ribbon is stretched under a pair of guide members 38, one. disposed adjacent each. end of the trame and over the bedr and a plate X proporly disposed on said bed. Ribbon R has its opposite end connected to a winding roller SS'rigidly connected with winding shaft 35 and a ratchet wheel 4r() is fixed to the forward extremity oiE shaft 35 adapted to be actuated by a small pawl il pivoted to the adjacent longitudinaliedge of ribbon frame 34e. Pawl ll as shown in Figs. 9 and lO-is resiliently held in engagement with ratchet 40 by means ot a spring pressed ball 42 housed within said last mentioned longitudinal. side of ribbon. trame 34. Pawl 4l 'is provided with a pair of inwardly disposed notches or d etents lll in either of which ball 4:2 may be seated to either cause said pawl to engage said ratchet 40 or to be held in inoperative position relative thereto as desired. It will be apparent that when the trame 34 is swung open to remove or install one of the plates X the upward swinging movement of said frame will' cause ratchet wheel 40 to be turned7 moving the ribbon R slightly trom right tolett.

'lh'e plates X are made up in different sizes and shapes to suit the requirements of the di'li'erent itorius or policies on which the printing to be done. The form or: policy F is always held vin a certain position by means of suitable. guiding and retaining. means 43, which may be secured to the top ot the cabinet 0r table. T- H the usuel t0, be filled' with printing. is disposed adjacent the left of one of the pages otl form F plate X may be made .fitn the characters disposed adjacent the lett oi the plate or covering the entire plate, as shown in Figure 5, If on the other hand, the panel to be printed is disposed at the right hand side of the sheet the plate X may be made having av blank portion at the left there- ,ot and having the characters disposed adjaways be disposed inthe proper position to` be adjusted to print within the panel vby sliding bed B to proper position. In other words, the position oi? the printed matter on the form between extreme left and right positions depends uponv the construction of the particular plate used, since said plate is. always held with two of its adjacent edges abutting guide 32 and' abutment pins 3,3, while the position ort' the. plate with reference to the Jtop and bottom of the form is determined by adjusting slidable bed B. We provi-de one ot' the'plates X for each form or policy and identify each plate in each form with a number or other indicia. As shown7 the form and plate is identiied as Endowment at 85, age 35?.

Etlicient indicatingl means for accurately showing the proper position of the plate bed for printing lthe different forms may consist in an indicatingy armi le rigidlY `iixed to. one of the longitudinai edges oi plate bed B and ei:- tending outwardly and' from. right to left, terminating in an indicating linger or fingers alla. For convenience, when the device is used for printing a multiplicity of forms, aA plurality oft the fingers 44a are provided, said lingers. being adapted to respectively overlie Y or point to a plurality of parallel columns 45, wi'iijch may be fixed to the lett hand guide member 3l or to the supporting surt-ace T, extending perpendicularly to the, longitudinaledges of bed l5., In; said'v columns indicia is represented correspond'ing to the indicia of the several plates and'` ,said indicia is setr at proper points in said columns to cause the particular plates identified to be disposed in proper position relatively tothe topV and bottom of the form to be printed for properly printing the matter in the appropriate panel or blank ot the form.

Operation vdisposed in registration with the identitication of the particular plate. and form` utilized, The plate is then disposed in,V exact position to', print within the blank or insert panel 0f the'form. The ribbon trame 34 is then swungto printing position over plate X and the form or policy is disposed above the ribbon frame, held in proper position by abutment engagement with the guiding and retaining means 43 fixed to the supporting surface T. The operator then may grasp handle 16C of the platen frame swinging said frame to extreme left position, at which time the forward end of the frame is securely interlocked with the rail segment 2O and abuts the small stop member 20a. Platen P is then positioned directly above the bed B and the bar 19 may be pulled toward the operator to depress the platen and effect the under surface of the form. y

It will be noticed that the toggle structure provided causes a tremendous force to be exerted upon platen I), powerful leverage being obtained' through the eccentric connections 26 and further throughthe leverage upon the toggle links 22 and 23. In the embodiment of the invention commercially manufactured at this time we have found that an operator exerting the force of twenty five pounds upon bar 19 may eifect a pressure of over fifteen tons upon the platen P. It will also be noticed that pressure upon the platen is increased as the toggle links 22 and 23 approach dead center position. This increased leverage is desired for printing. The platen printing upon the actuating mechanism in reality constitutes a double toggle for each end of the platen, the connections 26 with members 25 constituting sets of toggles pivoted on vertical axes, while the toggle links 22 and 23 are pivoted on horizontal axes.

As above described, it will be seen that the operation of inserting the print in the bed, swinging the platen frame and printing occupies extremely short time. To remove the form or policy it is only necessary to swing the'platen frame to extreme right position, lift the form from its retaining means 43, and place the plate X utilized in its proper position in cabinet C.

At the time of inserting the print in the bed, ribbon frame 34 is swung to open position, thereby actuating through pawl 4l the ratchet 40 and thus causing the ribbon R to be Wound slightly upon the winding roll 39. finding shaft 35, aswell as the spool shaft 36 are frictionally held in such a manner that they may be turned by the positive action of pawl 4l upon ratchet 40, but will not slip in the closing movement of the ribbon frame. `When the winding of the ribbon on spool 89 is nearly complete pawl 41 may be moved to inoperative position, the spring pressed ball 42 engaging the appropriate detent 4la and the ribbon may be re-wound upon spool shaft 36 by the manipulation of a knurled knob 36a rigidly connected to one end of spool shaft 86 or a new ribbon may be supplied if needed.

Since the electroplatesX contain all the type characters necessary to entirely fill the insert panel of the form, there is no chance of error in any of the values of characters printed, assuming the proper plate be chosen and the chance of choosing the wrong plate is negligible since the identification of the plate is prominently printed upon the insert, upon the form, and upon one of the indicating col'- umns 45.

Frein the foregoing description it will be seen that we have invented a simple but highly efiicient insert printer, capable of quickly and accurately printing in values, characters, etc., in insert panels of forms.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention.

l/Vhat is claimed is:

l. In a printing device, a printing bed, a platen frame, a platen slidably carried by said frame, toggle mechanism mounted in said frame for actuating said platen comprising a pair of toggle links, one of which is pivoted on a substantially horizontal axis to said platen, the other of which is pivoted on a substantially horizontal axis to said platen frame, a toggleoperating bar pivoted on a substantially vertical axis, and a member eccentrically connecting the common pivot of said toggle links with said operating bar.

2. In a printing device, a printing bed, a platen frame, a platen slidably carried by said frame, toggle mechanism mounted in said frame for actuating said platen, comprising a. pair of toggle links, one of which is pivoted on a substantially rhorizontal axis to said platen, the other of which is pivoted on a substantially horizontal axis to said platen frame, a bifurcated member connected to the common pivot of said toggle links, a toggle operating bar pivoted to said platen frame on a substantially vertical axis, and a connecting member having one of its ends eccentrically pivoted on a substantially vertical axis to said toggle operating` bar and having its other end pivoted on a substantially vertical axis to said bifurcated member. Y

3. In a printing device, a printing bed, a platen frame, a platen carried by said frame for substantially vertical sliding movement therein, a pair of toggle links disposed above each end ofV said platen loosely connecting said platen with said platen frame, said links having their pivots disposed substantially horizontally and parallel, a toggle operatingV bar pivoted to said frame on a substantially vertical axis and having itsinner end extend-A ed somewhat beyond-its pivot and connecting members eccentrically connecting the common pivots of said two sets of toggle links to said toggle bar.

4. In a printing device, a printing base, a platen adapted to overlie said base. means for depressing said platen. relatively xedmeans for holding a sheetl to beprinted and a plate iso holding bed slidably mounted on said base for disposition in various positions relative to the sheet to be printed.

5. In a printing device, a substantially horizontal printing base, a plate holding bed slidably mounted on said base, a platen adapted to be disposed above said base and of suiiicient area to overlie said bed in any position thereof relative to said base, and means for retaining the sheet to be printed. in a lined position above a plate on said bed.

6. ln a printing device adapted to .print relatively small inserts on a sheet, a substantially horizontal printing base, a. plate holding bed slidably mounted on said base, a relatively lixed means for holding a sheet to be printed in a predetermined position relatively to said base, a printing plate adapted to be mounted in said bed, said printing plate having raised printing characters in a portion thereof, said portion of said plate when said plate is mounted on said bed being substantially alined with the insert space of said sheet, whereby said portion may be brought into exact registration with said space by properly adjusting said bed relatively to said printing base.

7. In a printing device adapted to print relatively small inserts on a sheet, a substantially horizontal printing base, an adjustable bed slidably mounted on said base, means on said bed for positioning two adjacent edges of a plate in a predetermined position with respect to said bed, relatively fixed means for holding the sheet to be printed in a predetermined position relatively to said base, and a printing plate having raised printing characters on a portion thereof, said portion of said plate when said plate is mounted on said bed being substantially alined with the insert space of said sheet, whereby said portion may be brought into exact registration with said space by properly sliding said bed to a certain position relatively to said printing base.

8. In a printing device, a plate holding printing bed, a platen adapted to overlie said bed, means for operating said platen, a ribbon frame hinged 'to said bed and adapted to overlie a plate on said bed when disposed in substantially horizontal position, a ribbon extending across said ribbon trame and means for moving said ribbon slightly each time said ribbon frame is swung.

9. In a printing device, a substantially horizontal support, a platen frame, pivoted adjacent one oie its ends to .said support for swinging movement on a vertical aXis, a printing bed disposer eccentrically of said axis, a platen disposed medially oi said platen frame and adapted to overlie said printing bed when said trame is swung to a predetermined position, retaining means at the free end of .said platen frame and cooperating retaining means on said support disposed outwardly of said printing bed for automatically securing the free end of said P'frame to said support against upward displacement when said rame is swung to printing position.

lO. The structure set forth in claim 9, wherein one oi' said retaining elements is provided with a groove or" T-shaped cross section disposed concentrically oi said axis, and wherein said other retaining element constitutes a member of T-shaped cross section disposed concentrically or" said axis and one of said elements including means for limiting the swinging movement of said platen frame. ll. In a printing device, a printing base, relatively tix-ed vmeans for holding a sheet to be printed, a plate holding bed slidably mounted on said base, a platen adapted to be disposed above said base, a printing plate having printing characters thereon, the space occupied by said printing characters being positioned a predetermined distance j'rom one edge ci said plate to correctly aline said characters laterally for printing in a predetermined position on a sheet, the slidability ot .said plate holding bed permitting said printing characters to be properly alined longitudinally of said sheet.

l2. ln an insert printing device, a substantially horizontal printing base, a plate holding bed slidably mounted on said base, means on said bed for positioning two adjacent edges ot a printing plate in a predetermined position, indicating means on said printing base and indicating means on said slidable printing bed adapted to oo-operate with said lirst mentioned means to indicate the exact positions ot said plate bed relatively to said base Cor printing dii'ierent forms.

lf3. In an insert printing device, a substantially horizontal printing base, la printing bed slidably mounted on said base for horizontal rectilinear movement within limits, and a depressible horizontal platen mounted above said base and oi' such area as to cover said base in all positions thereof.

ln testimony whereof we ahX our signatures.

ANSGAR GYDESEN. KNUTE A. FROBERG. WILLIAM J. KEENAN. 

